Apparatus, method, and program for editing images for a photo album

ABSTRACT

For generating photo albums on events such as weddings, the photo albums can always be generated in the same quality. A professional photographer photographs the bride and groom on a wedding. Images are read from a developed film and stored in a file server. A template used for generating a photo album is added with composition information representing composition of images to be inserted in image insertion areas therein. When an operator selects one of the images to be inserted in any one of the image insertion areas with reference to an editing screen having a catalog display field and a template display field, processing information representing a magnification ratio and/or a trimming position is generated based on the composition information so that the selected image has the composition appropriate for the image insertion area. The selected image is processed according to the processing information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/998,158, which is filed Nov. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,675,635, and claims priority from JP Patent Application No.396850/2003 filed Nov. 27, 2003 and JP Patent Application No.338284/2004 filed Nov. 24, 2004. Each of the above-noted applications isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus and an imageediting method for selecting an image to be inserted in an imageinsertion area in a template. The present invention also relates to aprogram for causing a computer to execute the image editing method.

2. Description of the Related Art

As has been described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.9(1997)-214868, a method has been proposed for generating a photo albumby reading images from a film with a film scanner and by printing animage including a selected part of the images arranged in desiredlayout.

In addition, another method has also been proposed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-182260 for generating a photoalbum by printing desired images as photographs and by inserting thephotographs in photo mounting corners formed on photo album paperaccording to a size of the photographs and layout of the photo album.

Meanwhile, in order to generate a photo album on a wedding, aprofessional photographer sometimes photographs the bride and groom aswell as attendants in front of a church as a venue for the wedding or infront of a monument during the wedding. Images obtained in this mannerare used for generating a photo album, and the photo album tells a storythat can be enjoyed later, since the album traces the behavior of thebride and groom on the day.

In order to generate a photo album, a professional photographer or anoperator at a DPE store that provides a photo album generation service(hereinafter collectively referred to as an operator) stores imagesobtained by photography in an image server, and displays on displaymeans such as a monitor of a workstation a catalog of the images storedin the image server and a template having an image insertion area usedfor photo album generation. The operator then selects one of the imagesto be inserted in the image insertion area from the catalog. At thistime, the operator carries out image editing processing such asprocessing for changing image quality (blurring or sharpnessenhancement, for example), processing for image reshaping (such asrotation, resizing, and trimming), and processing for image restoration(such as red-eye correction and scar removal) on the selected image sothat the image inserted in the image insertion area can look attractive.

A photo album is generated by printing images edited in the above mannerand pasting the images on photo album paper. A photo album can also begenerated by printing composite images having a layout of the photoalbum generated from edited images inserted in image insertion areas ofa template, as has been described in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 9(1997)-214868.

However, an image editing operation largely depends on skills of anoperator. In the case of image processing especially, a size of an imageafter the processing and a trimming range changes from operator tooperator. For this reason, a photo album generated by a skilled operatorlooks substantially attractive while a photo album generated by a poorlyskilled operator does not look attractive although a charge for photoalbum generation may be the same for both cases. Furthermore, how wellphoto albums are generated may be different from day to day even if thesame operator generates the photo albums.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived based on consideration of theabove circumstances. An object of the present invention is therefore toenable generation of photo albums on events such as weddings in aconstant quality.

An image editing apparatus according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, comprises:

a display unit which displays various kinds of information thereon;

an image display control unit which displays a catalog of plural imageson the display unit;

a template display control unit which displays on the display unit thecatalog of plural images and a template being used as a photo albumpaper, said template having at least one image insertion area, each areaattached with composition information representing composition of animage or images to be inserted in the area;

a designation reception unit which receives designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on the display unit;

an image selection unit which receives selection of image to be insertedin the designated image insertion area from the catalog of pluralimages; and

a processing information generation unit which generates processinginformation including information on a magnification ratio and/or atrimming position regarding the selected image to be inserted in thedesignated image insertion area in order to process the selected imageto have the composition represented by the composition information, withreference to the composition information of the designated imageinsertion area. The template is used as a photo album paper.

Various kinds of information for determining the composition of theimage to be inserted in the image insertion area can be used as thecomposition information. More specifically, at least one of: the type ofsubject included in the image, a position thereof in the image, a colorthereof, the number of subjects of the same type, arrangement of thesubjects if the number is larger than 1, a size of the correspondingimage insertion area, and a size of plain background to a size of thesubject can be used.

The magnification ratio includes a value smaller than 1, that is, avalue for reducing the image.

An image editing apparatus according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, comprising:

a display unit which displays various kinds of information thereon;

an image display control unit which displays a catalog of plural imageson the display unit;

a template display control unit which displays on the display unit thecatalog of plural images and a template being used as a photo albumpaper, said template having at least one image insertion area, each areaattached with multiple pieces of composition information representingcomposition of an image or images to be inserted in the area;

a designation reception unit which receives designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on the display unit;

an image selection unit which receives selection of image to be insertedin the designated image insertion area from the catalog of pluralimages; and

a processing information generation unit which selects a piece ofcomposition information suitable for the selected image from themultiple pieces of compensation information attached to the designatedimage insertion area, and generates processing information includinginformation on a magnification ratio and/or a trimming positionregarding the selected image in order to process the selected image tohave the composition represented by the selected compositioninformation, with reference to the selected composition information ofthe designated image insertion area.

An image editing apparatus according to the third aspect of the presentinvention, comprising:

a display unit which displays various kinds of information thereon;

an image display control unit which displays a catalog of plural imageson the display unit;

a template display control unit which displays on the display units thecatalog of plural images and a template being used as photo album paper,said template having plural image insertion areas, each area attachedwith at least a piece of composition information representingcomposition of an image to be inserted in the area, and correspondenceinformation representing a correspondence between compositioninformation attached to a predetermined image insertion area andcomposition information attached to a correspondence image insertionarea corresponding to said predetermined image insertion area, in orderto process an image to be inserted in the predetermined composition areaand an image to be inserted in the correspondence image insertion areato have a composition in relation with each other;

a designation reception unit which receives designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on the display means;

an image selection unit which receives selection of two images, the oneis inserted in the predetermined image insertion area and the other isinserted in the correspondence image insertion area, from the catalog ofplural images; and

a processing information generation unit which selects a piece ofcomposition information suitable for the selected image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation of the predetermined image insertion area in accordance witha scene property of the selected image, selects a piece of compositioninformation suitable for the correspondence image insertion area fromthe composition information of the correspondence image insertion areawith reference to the correspondence information, and generatesprocessing information including information on a magnification ratioand/or a trimming position regarding each image to be inserted in eacharea in order to process each image to have the composition representedby each selected composition information, with reference to the selectedcomposition information of the predetermined image insertion area andthe selected composition information of the correspondence imageinsertion area.

An image editing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the presentinvention, comprising:

a display unit which displays plural kinds of information thereon;

an image display control unit which displays a catalog of plural imageson the display unit;

a template image display control unit which displays on the display unitthe catalog and a template being used as a photo album paper, saidtemplate having plural image insertion areas, each area attached with atleast a piece of composition information representing composition of animage to be inserted in the area, and correspondence informationrepresenting correspondence between composition information attached toa predetermined image insertion area and composition informationattached to a correspondence image insertion area in order to process animage to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area to have acomposition suitable for the correspondence image insertion area;

a designation reception unit which receives designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on the display unit;

an image selection unit which receives selection of image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the catalog of pluralimages; and

a processing information generation unit which selects a piece ofcomposition information suitable for the selected image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation attached to the predetermined image insertion area inaccordance with a scene property of the selected image, selects a pieceof composition information suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area from the composition information attached to thecorrespondence image insertion area with reference to the correspondenceinformation, and generates processing information including informationon a magnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding theselected image to be inserted in the predetermined area in order toprocess the selected image to have a composition represented by theselected composition information of the predetermined image insertionarea and the selected composition information of the correspondenceimage insertion area. In addition, the image editing apparatus of thepresent invention may also comprise editing means for editing the imageor images inserted in the image insertion area or areas.

An image editing method according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, comprising the steps of:

displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit;

displaying on the display unit the catalog of plural images and atemplate being used as photo album paper, said template having at leastone image insertion area, each area attached with compositioninformation representing composition of an image to be inserted in thearea;

receiving designation image insertion area in the template displayed onthe display unit;

receiving selection of image to be inserted in the designated imageinsertion area from the catalog of plural images; and

generating processing information including information on amagnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding the selectedimage to be inserted in the designated image insertion area in order toprocess the selected image to have the composition represented by thecomposition information, with reference to the composition informationof the designated image insertion area.

An image editing method according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, comprising the steps of:

displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit:

displaying the catalog of plural images and a template being used as aphoto album paper, said template having at least one image insertionarea, each area attached with multi pieces of composition informationrepresenting compositions of image to be inserted in the area;

receiving designation of image insertion area in the template displayedon the display unit;

receiving selection of image to be inserted in the designated imageinsertion area from the catalog of plural images;

selecting a piece of composition information suitable for the selectedimage to be inserted in the designated image insertion area from themulti pieces of composition information attached to the designated imageinsertion area, in accordance with a scene property of the selectedimage; and

generating processing information including information on amagnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding the selectedimage to be inserted in the designated image insertion area in order toprocess the selected image to have the composition represented by theselected composition information, with reference to the selectedcomposition information.

An image editing method according to the third aspect of the presentinvention, comprising the steps of:

displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit;

displaying on the display unit the catalog of plural images and atemplate being used as a photo album paper, said template having pluralimage insertion areas, each area attached with at least a piece ofcomposition information representing composition of image to be insertedin the area, and correspondence information representing correspondencebetween composition information attached to a predetermined imageinsertion area and composition information attached to a correspondenceimage insertion area corresponding to the predetermined image insertionarea in order to process an image to be inserted in the predeterminedarea and an image to be inserted in the correspondence image insertionarea to have a composition in related with each other;

receiving designation of image insertion area in the template displayedon the display unit;

receiving selection of two images from the catalog of plural images, theone is to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area and theother is to be inserted in the correspondence image insertion area;

selecting a piece of composition information suitable for the selectedimage to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area from thecomposition information attached to the predetermined image insertionarea in accordance with a scene property of the selected image;

selecting a piece of composition information suitable for thecorrespondence image insertion area from the composition informationattached to the correspondence image insertion area, with reference tothe correspondence information;

generating processing information including information on amagnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding each selectedimage in order to process each selected image to have a compositionrepresented by each selected composition information, with reference tothe selected composition information of the predetermined imageinsertion area and the selected composition information of thecorrespondence image insertion area.

An image editing method according to the fourth aspect of the presentinvention, comprising the steps of:

displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit;

displaying on the display unit the catalog of plural images and atemplate being used as a photo album paper, said template having pluralimage insertion areas, each area attached with at least a piece ofcomposition information representing composition of image to be insertedin the area, and correspondence information representing correspondencebetween composition information attached to a predetermined imageinsertion area and composition information attached to a correspondenceimage insertion area corresponding to the predetermined image insertionarea in order to process an image to be inserted in the predeterminedimage insertion area to have a composition suitable for thecorrespondence image insertion area;

receiving designation of image insertion area in the template displayedon the display unit;

receiving selection of image to be inserted in the predetermined imageinsertion area from the catalog of plural images;

selecting a piece of composition information suitable for the selectedimage to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area from thecomposition information attached to the predetermined image insertionarea, in accordance with a scene property of the selected image;

selecting a piece of composition information suitable for thecorrespondence image insertion area from the composition informationattached to the correspondence image insertion area, with reference tothe correspondence information; and

generating processing information including information on amagnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding the selectedimage to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area in orderto process the selected image to have the composition represented byeach selected composition information, with reference to the selectedcomposition information of the predetermined image insertion area andthe selected composition information of the correspondence imageinsertion area.

Additionally, it may be possible to provide the above image editingmethods according to any one of the first to fourth aspect of thepresent invention, as a program for causing a computer to execute themethod.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the catalog ofthe images and the template are displayed on the display means, anddesignation and selection input by an operator is received regarding theimage insertion area and the image to be inserted therein. Theprocessing information including the information on the magnificationratio and/or the trimming position regarding the image to be inserted inthe insertion area is then generated so that the image can have thecomposition represented by the composition information, with referenceto the composition information of the specified image insertion area.Therefore, upon generation of a photo album, the image to be inserted inthe image insertion area is processed with reference to the processinginformation. Therefore, if the same template is used, composition of theimage or images to be included in the photo album can be the same as thecomposition represented by the composition information added to thetemplate. Consequently, the composition of the image or images cannot bedifferent depending on operators or depending on days, which realizesgeneration of photo albums having a constant quality. Furthermore, sincean editing operation for determining the magnification ratio and/or thetrimming position for the image or images to be inserted becomesunnecessary, a burden on the operator can be reduced.

Further, there is a problem unable to deal flexibly with various kindsof images in a case that each image insertion area in one template hasonly one piece of composition information. Therefore, in the imageediting apparatus/method according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, each image insertion area has multi pieces of compositioninformation and the suitable composition information for the image to beinserted is selected from the multi pieces of composition information inaccordance with the scene property of the image. By this feature, it ispossible to deal flexibly with various kinds of images.

Moreover, if the template has plural image insertion areas,correspondence information among the image insertion areas is necessary.For example, regarding a template which is used for a book, album, orthe like, bound with a double spread type, there are some cases that thecompositions of a right page and a left page are different from eachother. In particular, if the images of faces of a bride and a groom areinserted in the double spread pages, it is preferred that the face imageto be inserted in a right page is left-pointing and the face image to beinserted in a left page is right pointing. Additionally, if an image ofa bride with a white dress is inserted in an image insertion are of apage, it is a common practice not to include images of bride with acolored dress or a kimono in other image insertion areas of the page.

Therefore, in the image editing apparatus/method according to the thirdaspect of the present invention, the template has plural image insertionareas and at least a piece of composition information is attached toeach area. If correspondence information, which representscorrespondence between composition information of a predetermined imageinsertion area and composition information of a correspondence imageinsertion area corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area,is attached to the template, each of images inserted in thepredetermined image insertion are and the correspondence image insertionarea is selected, a piece of composition information of thepredetermined image insertion area is selected in accordance with thescene property of the selected image, a piece of composition informationof the corresponding image insertion area is selected with reference tothe correspondence information, and processing information is generatedwith reference to the selected composition information of the bothareas. Accordingly, it is possible to process each selected image tohave a composition suitable for the predetermined image insertion areaand the correspondence image insertion area.

Additionally, in a case that apart of an image to be inserted in a mainimage insertion area is magnified and inserted in other image insertionarea, the part to be magnified depends on details of the main image tobe inserted in the main image insertion area. For example, if the mainimage is a scene of exchanging rings at wedding ceremony, a part in theregion of hands of the bride and groom is magnified. If the main imageis a scene of signing a wedding pledge card, a part in the region of thepledge card is magnified.

Therefore, in the image editing apparatus/method according to the fourthaspect of the present invention, the template has plural image insertionareas and each area is attached with at least one piece of compositioninformation. In order to process the image to be inserted in thepredetermined image insertion area to have a composition suitable forthe correspondence image insertion area corresponding to thepredetermined area, the template further has correspondence informationrepresenting the correspondence between composition information attachedto the predetermined image insertion area and composition informationattached to the correspondence image insertion area. If the template hasthe correspondence information, an image to be inserted in thepredetermined image insertion area is selected, a piece of compositioninformation of the predetermined image insertion area is selected inaccordance with the scene property of the selected image, a piece ofcomposition information of the correspondence image insertion area isselected with reference to the correspondence information, and then theprocessing information is generated with reference to each selectedcomposition information. Thereby, the image is processed to have acomposition suitable for the predetermined image insertion area and thecorrespondence image insertion area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a block diagram showing a configuration of an image editingsystem comprising an image editing apparatus of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a photo albumediting PC;

FIG. 3 shows an example of an editing screen;

FIG. 4 shows an example indicating that composition information isrelated to an image insertion area in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example of the composition information;

FIGS. 6A and 6B explain how an image is processed in generation ofprocessing information;

FIG. 7 shows an example of layout information;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure carried out in theembodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an example indicating that composition information isrelated to an image insertion area in the second embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example of images to be used for the secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 shows an example of correspondence information in the thirdembodiment;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C show a first example of images to be used forthe third embodiment;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show a second example of images to be used forthe third embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows an example of correspondence information in the fourthembodiment; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a fourth example of images to be used for thefourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram showing a configuration of an image editing system having animage editing apparatus of the first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image editing system in thisembodiment comprises a photo album editing personal computer(hereinafter referred to as the photo album editing PC) 1, a plurality(2, in this case) of mini-laboratories 3A and 3B, a film scanner(hereinafter referred to as a scanner) 3C, a file server 5, and aprocess management PC 7 connected to each other via a network. The photoalbum editing PC 1 has functions of the image editing apparatus as theembodiment of the present invention. Each of the mini-laboratories 3Aand 3B has a scanner for obtaining image data sets representing imagesrecorded on a developed negative or positive film or prints by readingthe images from the film or prints, and a printer for printing the imagedata sets. The file server 5 has a large-capacity hard disc for storingthe image data sets. The process management PC 7 manages processes ofphoto album generation.

In this embodiment, the case of a wedding as an event will be explained.In the wedding, a professional photographer photographs the bride andgroom who requested photo album generation (hereinafter referred to as auser) on the day of wedding, and the photographer generates a photoalbum telling a story of the event by using the photographs. However,the event is not necessarily limited to a wedding.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the photo albumediting PC 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the photo album editing PC 1 comprisesa CPU 11 (acting as the image display control means, the templatedisplay control means, and the processing information generation means),transceiver means 13 for networking, display means 15, an I/O 19,memories 21, and storage means 23. The CPU 11 controls the photo albumediting PC 1. The transceiver means 13 sends and receives the image datasets and various kinds of information to and from the file server 5. Thedisplay means 15 displays various kinds of information such as theimages and a template. The I/O 19 reads various kinds of informationinput by an operator via input means 17 (acting as the specificationreception means and the image selection means) for delivering theinformation to the CPU 11. The I/O 19 also outputs a display instructionto the display means 15 according to an instruction from the CPU 11. Thememories 21 comprise a ROM storing a program for operating the CPU 11and various constants, and a RAM used by the CPU 11 as a workspace. Thestorage means 23 comprises a hard disc or the like for storing variouskinds of information such as the image data sets.

A bus 25 connects the CPU 11 in the photo album editing PC 1 toperipheral circuits including the transceiver means 13, the I/O 19, thememories 21, and the storage means 23. In this manner, the CPU 11 cancontrol the peripheral circuits. More specifically, the CPU 11 controlsthe transceiver means 13, the display means 15, the memories 21, and thestorage means 23 for reception of information such as the image datasets and a template data set that will be explained later from the fileserver 5, for storing the image data sets in the storage means 23, andfor displaying a catalog and the template on the display means 15 inorder to select the image or images to be inserted in an image insertionarea or image insertion areas (hereinafter referred to as the imageinsertion areas) of the template, to generate image editing information,and to transmit the image editing information to the file server 5 inresponse to an instruction input from the input means 17 by theoperator.

The photo album editing PC 1 receives photo album editing informationcomprising information on the template specified by the user whorequested photo album generation and a user ID when the operator carriesout a photo album editing operation. The photo album editing PC 1 sendsthe photo album editing information to the file server 5, and receivesthe template data set, the image data sets, and guide image data sets tobe inserted in the image insertion areas in the template from the fileserver 5. The photo album editing PC 1 then reduces the image data setsfor generating the catalog of the images represented by the image datasets, and inserts guide images represented by the guide image data setsin the image insertion areas of the template represented by the templatedata set. In this manner, the photo album editing PC 1 displays anediting screen including the catalog and the template having the guideimages inserted therein on the display means 15.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the editing screen. As shown in FIG. 3, anediting screen 30 includes a catalog display field 31 in which thecatalog is displayed, a template display field 33 in which the templatehaving the guide images inserted therein is displayed, and a tool box35.

A scroll bar 31A is displayed in the catalog display field 31. By movingthe scroll bar 31A to the right or left, a part of the images thatcannot be displayed in one screen can be displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a template T1 displayed in the templatedisplay field 33 includes 4 image insertion areas named 1-a, 1-b, 1-c,and 2-a, all of which respectively have the guide images insertedtherein.

The guide images notify the operator who carries out the photo albumediting operation of what composition the respective images should havein the corresponding image insertion areas in the template. In the caseof photography for generating photo albums on events, the photography iscarried out at the same place and in the same situation regardless ofwho a user as a requester is. For example, in the case of photography ofbrides and grooms in weddings, photography is carried out at apredetermined place in a hotel and in a predetermined situation such asexchange of marriage rings and cutting a wedding cake.

Therefore, by using the same composition for the images to be insertedin the image insertion areas in the template for all users that selectedthe same template, a quality of photo albums generated in the abovemanner can be constant. Consequently, the guide images can beillustrations representing the composition to be inserted in the imageinsertion areas, drawings, or sample images obtained by photography of amodel in an actual place or in an actual situation, for example. In thisembodiment, sample images generated by photographing a model areinserted in the image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, 1-c, and 2-a.

In the template display field 33 are displayed arrow buttons 33A and 338for changing a page of the template being displayed in the templatedisplay field 33 in the case where the template has a plurality ofpages. The operator can change the page of the template to be displayedin the editing screen 30 by clicking the arrow button 33A or 33B.

In the tool box 35 are displayed buttons for carrying out image qualitychanging processing such as blurring, sharpening, and brushing, buttonsfor carrying out image restoration processing such as red-eye correctionand scar removal, a button for image rotation, and an OK button forending the processing.

The operator carries out the photo album editing operation by inputtingphoto album editing instructions while using the editing screen 30. Morespecifically, the operator selects a corresponding one of the imageshaving the same composition as the guide image inserted in one of theimage insertion areas from the catalog, and drags and drops the selectedimage by using the input means 17. In this manner, the operator insertsthe selected image in the corresponding image insertion area. After theinsertion, the operator selects the image insertion area, and edits theselected image inserted therein by clicking any one of the buttons inthe tool box 35. For example, by clicking the button for rotation, theoperator can rotate the image by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction.By clicking the button for resizing, the operator can change a size ofthe image. Furthermore, by clicking the button for blurring orsharpening or brushing, a quality of the image can be changed. Byclicking the button for red-eye correction or scar removal, the imagecan be restored.

According to the first embodiment, the template data set is recordedwith composition information representing the composition of the imagesto be inserted in the image insertion areas therein. For example, asshown in FIG. 4, composition information 1 to 4 representing thecomposition of the images to be inserted in image insertion areas 1-a,1-b, 1-c, and 2-a is recorded in a header of the template T1 representedby the template data set.

Various kinds of information enabling determination of the compositionof each of the images to be inserted in the corresponding imageinsertion area can be used as the composition information. Morespecifically, at least one of: the type of subject included in theimage, a position thereof, a color thereof, the number of subjects ofthe same type, arrangement of the subjects if the number is larger than1, a size of the image insertion area, and a size of plain background ofthe subject can be used.

For example, in the case where the image insertion area 1-a needs to befilled with an image whose composition is close-up of the faces of thebride and groom, the composition information 1 on the image insertionarea 1-a represents the composition including 6 conditions as shown inFIG. 5. More specifically, a size of the image insertion area 1-a in thex direction (the horizontal direction) is 960 pixels while a sizethereof in the y direction (the vertical direction) is 640 pixels. Theimage in the image insertion area 1-a includes two people, and the facesthereof are shown side by side. Background of the person in the right iswhite, and the centerline of the image falls in the middle of the twopeople. The face of the person in the left is within an area A1 shown inFIG. 5, while the face of the person on the right is within an area A2.In the case where the composition information includes a size of plainbackground of the subject, the composition information includesconditions defining the number of pixels representing a length from thetop of the head to the upper side of the image and the numbers of pixelseach representing lengths from the right and left ears to the right andleft sides of the image, or a proportion of the background to a size ofthe face, for example.

When the operator selects one of the images for insertion in one of theimage insertion areas (hereinafter referred to as the insertion image),the photo album editing PC 1 generates processing informationrepresenting a magnification ratio of the insertion image and a trimmingposition, with reference to the composition information of the imageinsertion area. In the case where an image G1 shown in FIG. 6A isselected as the insertion image for the image insertion area 1-a, forexample, the photo album editing PC 1 recognizes that the insertionimage has two people, based on the condition included in the compositioninformation 1 for the image insertion area 1-a. The photo album editingPC 1 therefore extracts face areas from the image G1. More specifically,the photo album editing PC 1 extracts the face areas through extractionof skin-color areas having elliptic shapes in the image G1. Furthermore,the photo album editing PC 1 extracts the two face areas located side byside and having the white background for the right person.

The photo album editing PC 1 then determines the magnification ratio andthe trimming position of the image G1 so that the centerline of theimage insertion area 1-a falls in the middle of the two face areas andthe faces in the right and left are respectively contained in the areasA1 and A2 in the case where the image has the same size as the imageinsertion area 1-a. The photo album editing PC 1 generates theprocessing information representing the magnification ratio and thetrimming position. The trimming position can be expressed as atwo-dimensional displacement of the center of the insertion image afterenlargement or reduction from the center of the image insertion area1-a. More specifically, the trimming position can be expressed by thenumber of pixels in the x direction and the y direction between thecenter of the insertion image after enlargement or reduction and thecenter of the image insertion area. With reference to the processinginformation generated in this mariner, the range surrounded by brokenlines shown in FIG. 6B in the image is trimmed to cause the insertionimage to have the size appropriate for the image insertion area.

In some cases, the insertion image selected by the operator satisfiesnot all of the conditions included in the composition information. Inthis case, the conditions may have order of priorities thereof so thatthe processing information can be generated as long as only theconditions of higher priorities are satisfied. For example, in thecomposition information shown in FIG. 5, the processing information isgenerated if only the conditions 2 and 2 are satisfied.

Scores may be given to the respective conditions in the compositioninformation regarding the insertion image at the time of satisfactionthereof so that the processing information can be generated in the casewhere a total of the scores exceeds a predetermined value. For example,in the composition information shown in FIG. 5, the scores 5, 3, and 1are respectively given the conditions 2, 3, and 4, and the processinginformation is generated if the total of the scores exceeds 7.

Depending on the insertion image, either the magnification ratio or thetrimming position has already satisfied the corresponding condition inthe composition information. In such a case, only the magnificationratio or the trimming position that originally has not satisfy thecomposition information is generated as the processing information.

For the image insertion area regarding which the processing informationhas been generated, the fact of completion of processing informationgeneration and confirmation of the insertion image may be displayed inthe editing screen 30. For example, a color of the image insertion areamay be changed, or a mark may be added to the image insertion area.Alternatively, a number of the image insertion area may be displayed, orinformation on confirmation of the insertion image may be displayed in alist of the image insertion area number. Information representingcompletion of the processing for image quality change or imagerestoration on the insertion image may also be displayed in or aroundthe image insertion area whose processing information has beengenerated.

After selecting all the images to be inserted in the respective imageinsertion areas and editing all the selected images, the operator clicksthe OK button for ending the photo album editing operation using thetemplate. The photo album editing PC 1 generates the image editinginformation including file names of the selected images, informationrelating the file names of the images to be inserted in the respectiveimage insertion areas and the corresponding image insertion areas,information on the processing to be carried out on the image data setssuch as blurring and red-eye correction, and the processing information.The image editing information is sent to the file server 5.

The image editing information may be stored in the photo album editingPC 1 not only after clicking of the OK button by the operator but alsotemporarily for each order of photo album generation so that the imageediting information can be sent regularly to the file server 5 atpredetermined intervals. The image editing information may be generatedand sent to the file server 5 at the time of generation of theprocessing information regarding any one of the image insertion areas orregarding each of the pages in the template if the template has thepages.

The file server 5 stores the image data sets obtained by reading theimages recorded on the developed film by using the mini-laboratory 3A or3B or the scanner 3C. The image data sets are stored in a foldergenerated for the user who requested the photo album generation. Thefile server 5 also stores the template data set representing thetemplate to be used for photo album generation as well as the guideimage data sets representing the guide images to be inserted in theimage insertion areas.

The file server 5 refers to the photo album editing information sentfrom the photo album editing PC 1, and sends the template data setrepresenting the template selected by the user, the image data setsstored in the folder corresponding to the user ID, and the guide imagedata sets representing the guide images to be inserted in the imageinsertion areas in the selected template to the photo album editing PC1.

When the image editing information is sent from the photo album editingPC 1, the file server 5 refers to the file names of the image data setsrepresenting the selected images included in the image editinginformation, and carries out preparatory processing and editingprocessing on the selected image data sets for generating processedimage data sets. The preparatory processing includes at least one of:brightness correction processing, color correction processing andgradation correction processing on the selected image data sets. Theediting processing includes the processing specified by the imageediting information. More specifically, the editing processing includesthe processing for changing image quality such as blurring, sharpening,and brushing, the processing such as trimming and enlargement orreduction according to the processing information, the rotationprocessing, and the image restoration processing such as red-eyecorrection and scar removal on the image data sets specified by theimage editing information, in the case where the processing describedabove is specified in the image editing information.

The file server 5 generates layout information from the informationrelating the file names of the image data sets and the image insertionareas of the template included in the image editing information. FIG. 7shows an example of the layout information. As shown in FIG. 7, thelayout information relates the names of the image data sets(DSCF0012.jpg, DSCF0020.jpg, DSCF0023.jpg, and DSCF0030.jpg) and thecorresponding image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, 1-c, and 2-a in thetemplate T1. The file server 5 sends the processed image data sets andthe layout information to either the mini-laboratory 3A or 3B.

The process management PC 7 receives information representing completionof the processes such as the photo album editing operation, printing,and photo album inspection input by the operator, in order to manage theprocesses regarding each order for photo album generation. In the casewhere the photo album has passed the inspection carried out by theoperator for examining the quality of the generated photo album, theprocess management PC receives information thereon, and finishes theprocess management for the photo album. In the case where the photoalbum did not pass the inspection, the process management PC 7 receivesan instruction for generating the photo album again.

A procedure carried out in this embodiment will be explained next. FIG.8 is a flow chart showing the procedure. The file server 5 has alreadystored the image data sets obtained by reading the images from thedeveloped film recorded with photographs on the wedding of the user.

When the operator inputs a photo album editing instruction from thephoto album editing PC 1, the procedure starts. The photo album editingPC 1 sends the photo album editing information including the user ID andthe information on the template selected by the user to the file server5 (Step S1).

The file server 5 receives the photo album editing information, andsends the image data sets stored in the folder corresponding to the userID, the template data set representing the template selected by theuser, and the guide image data sets representing the guide images to beinserted in the image insertion areas in the template to the photo albumediting PC 1 (Step S2).

The photo album editing PC 1 receives the image data sets, the templatedata set, and the guide image data sets, and displays the editing screen30 on the display means 15 (Step S3). The guide images represented bythe guide image data sets are inserted in the corresponding imageinsertion areas in the template displayed in the template display field33 in the editing screen 30.

The photo album editing PC 1 receives the photo album editinginstructions input by the operator referring to the editing screen 30(Step S4). The photo album editing PC 1 generates the processinginformation when the insertion image to be inserted in the correspondingimage insertion area is selected during reception of the editinginstructions (Step S5). The photo album editing PC 1 then judges whetheror not the OK button has been clicked (Step S6). If a result at Step S5is affirmative, the photo album editing PC generates the image editinginformation, and sends the image editing information to the file server5 (Step S7). If the result at Step S6 is negative, the procedure returnsto Step S4 for continuously receiving the editing instructions from theoperator.

The file server 5 receives the image editing information, and carriesout the editing processing with reference to the file names of theselected image data sets included in the image editing information (StepS8). The file server 5 sends the processed image data sets generatedthrough the editing processing and the layout information generated fromthe image editing information to either the mini-laboratory 3A or 3B(Step S9) to end the procedure.

The mini-laboratory 3A or 3B receives the processed image data sets andthe layout information, and prints the processed image data sets forgenerating prints thereof. The operator (or an operator dedicated tophoto album binding) pastes the prints in print insertion areas in photoalbum paper corresponding to the template while referring to the layoutinformation, and carries out binding for generating the photo album.

The operator in charge of quality control inspects the photo albumgenerated in this manner. In the case where the photo album has passedthe inspection, the photo album is sent to the user. In the case wherethe photo album did not pass the inspection, the process management PC 7orders the photo album generation again.

As has been described above, in this embodiment, when the insertionimage to be inserted in the corresponding image insertion area in thetemplate is selected, the processing information is generated forprocessing the insertion image so that the insertion image has thecomposition appropriate for the image insertion area. Therefore, thefile server 5 can carry out enlargement or reduction and trimming on theselected image for causing the image to have the composition appropriatefor the image insertion area, with reference to the processinginformation. Consequently, if the same template is used, the compositionof the images to be included in a photo album becomes the same. As aresult, the composition of the images selected for insertion does notchange from operator to operator or from day to day, and photo albumsgenerated in this manner have a constant quality. Furthermore, anediting operation for determining the magnification ratio and thetrimming position becomes unnecessary, which reduces a burden on theoperator.

In the first embodiment described above, while one piece of compositioninformation is related to one image insertion area as shown in FIG. 4,it may be possible to relate multi pieces of composition information toone image insertion area. Regarding such a case, the explanation isdescribed bellow as a second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example of thecomposition information related to the image insertion areas. In thesecond embodiment, as shown in the FIG. 9, the composition information1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 representing compositions of images to be inserted inthe image insertion area 1-a in the template T2 represented by templatedata is recorded in a header of the template data. Moreover, thecomposition information 2-1 and 2-2 representing compositions of imagesinserted in the image insertion area 1-b, the composition information3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 representing compositions of images to be inserted inthe image insertion area 1-c, and the composition information 4-1, 4-2,and 4-3 representing compositions of images to be inserted in the imageinsertion area 2-a are also recorded in the header.

As described above, in such case that multi pieces of compositioninformation are attached to one image insertion area, the compositioninformation is related to scene information representing suitable scenefor the composition represented by the composition information, and whenan operator selects an image to be inserted in an image insertion area,the operator also inputs scene information of the selected image in thealbum editing PC 1. The album editing PC 1 selects compositioninformation in accordance with the input scene information and generatesprocessing information. It may also possible to automatically determinescene information of the selected image.

In this embodiment, the composition information 2-1 includes informationindicating that whole figures of two people are contained in acomposition, and the composition information 2-2 includes informationshown in the FIG. 5. Moreover, the composition information 2-1 isrelated to scene information of a scene in which the bride and groom arestanding in the front of a stained-glass window, and the compositioninformation 2-2 is related to scene information indicating a scene inwhich the bride and groom are side-by-side.

If an operator selects the image G2 shown in the FIG. 10A as aninsertion image and inputs the scene in which the bride and groom arestanding in the front of a stained-glass winder as scene information,the album editing PC1 selects the composition information 2-1,determines a trimming position so as to contain the two people and thestained-glass window in whole region of the image insertion area 1-b inorder to insert the image G2 suitably in the image insertion area 1-b asshown in the FIG. 10B, and generates processing information indicatingthe determined trimming position and a magnifying rate of the image G2.If the image G1 shown in the FIG. 5A is selected as an insertion imageand the scene in which the bride and groom are side-by-side is input asscene information, the album editing PC1 selects the compositioninformation 2-2 and generates processing information in the same waydescribed in the first embodiment.

Further, it may be available to attach the composition informationdescribed in the second embodiment and correspondence information to atemplate. The correspondence information represents correspondencebetween a predetermined image insertion area and a correspondence imageinsertion area corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area.Each area is one of the image insertion areas included in the template.Regarding such a case, an explanation is described as a third embodimentbellow.

The FIG. 11 shows an example of correspondence information in the thirdembodiment. In the third embodiment, the template T3, which includes theimage insertion areas 1-a and 1-b, each area is applied to each of twofacing pages, is used for editing. As shown in the FIG. 11, thecorrespondence information represents that the image insertion area 1-ain the template T3 is attached with the correspondence information 1-1,1-2, and 1-3, the image insertion area 1-b is attached with thecomposition information 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, and the compositioninformation 1-1 and 2-1, the composition information 1-2 and 2-2, andthe composition information 1-3 and 2-3 are related to each other. Thecorrespondence information is recorded in a header of template dataindicating the template T3.

In the third embodiment, the composition information is also related toscene information.

The composition information 1-1 includes information indicating that aperson dressed in black is facing to the right, and the compositioninformation 2-1 corresponding to the composition information 1-1includes information indicating that a person dressed in white is facingto the left. Further, the composition information 1-1 is related toscene information indicating a scene of a face of the groom.

If an operator selects the image G3 shown in the FIG. 12A as aninsertion image, and inputs the scene indicating a face of the groom asscene information, the album editing PC 1 selects the compositioninformation 1-1, determines a trimming position so as to contain theface of the groom in whole region of the image insertion area 1-a inorder to insert the image G3 in the image insertion area 1-a in thetemplate T3 as shown in the FIG. 12B, further determines a magnifyingrate of the insertion image in order to cause the insertion image tohave a suitable size for the image insertion area 1-a, and then,generates processing information indicating the determined trimmingposition and the determined magnifying rate. Additionally, in this case,the image contains the person dressed in white and facing to the leftshould be inserted in the image insertion area 1-b. Upon selection ofthe image G4 (FIG. 12C) as an image to be inserted in the imageinsertion area 1-b by the operator, the album editing PC 1 determines atrimming position regarding the image G4 so as to the face of the brideis contained in whole region of the image insertion area 1-b withreference to the composition information 2-1, further determines amagnifying rate of the image G4 in order to cause the image G4 to have asuitable size for the image insertion area 1-b, and then, generatesprocessing information indicating the determined trimming position andthe determined magnifying rate.

On the other hand, it is available to use the template T4 including twoimage insertion area 1-a and 1-b, the one is lager than the other, inone page. In this case, it is assumed that the image insertion area 1-ain the template T4 is attached with composition information 1-1, 1-2,and 1-3, the image insertion area 1-b is attached with compositioninformation 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, and the composition information 1-1 and2-1, the composition information 1-2 and 2-2, the compositioninformation 1-3 and 2-3 are related to with each other.

Further, it is assumed that the composition information 1-1 includesinformation indicating that two people is contained in a composition,and the composition information 2-1 corresponding to the compositioninformation 1-1 includes information indicating that two rings are on acushion. Moreover, the composition information is related to sceneinformation of a scene for exchanging rings.

If an operator selects the image G5 shown in FIG. 13A as an insertionimage and inputs the scene for exchanging rings as scene information,the image editing PC 1 selects composition information 1-1, determines atrimming position so as to contain the upper bodies of the bride andgroom in the whole region of the image insertion area 1-a in order toinsert the image G5 suitably to the image insertion area 1-a in thetemplate T5, further determines a magnifying rate of the insertion imagein order to cause the insertion image to have a suitable size for theimage insertion area 1-a, and then, generates processing informationindicating the determined trimming position and the determinedmagnifying rate. Further, in this case, the image in which two rings areon a cushion should be inserted in the image insertion area 1-b.Therefore, upon selection of the image G6 as an image to be inserted inthe image insertion area 1-b by the operator, the image editing PC 1determines a trimming position so as to contain the cushion in wholeregion of the image insertion area 1-b with reference to the compositioninformation 2-1, further determines a magnifying rate of the insertionimage in order to cause the insertion image to have a suitable size forthe image insertion area 1-b, and then, generates processing informationindicating the determined trimming position and the determinedmagnifying rate.

It is also available to magnify a part of an image to be inserted in animage insertion area and insert the part in another image insertionarea. In this case, the magnified part is selected in accordance withdetails of the image. For example, if the insertion image is a scene ofexchanging rings, the magnified part of the image should be a regionincluding hands of the bride and groom. If the insertion image is ascene of signing wedding pledge card, it is a common practice to magnifythe card. Further, if the insertion image is a scene in which the brideand groom are standing with a wedding bouquet, it is a common practiceto magnify the wedding bouquet.

In order to deal with the case described above, in which a part of aninsertion image to be inserted in a predetermined image insertion areais magnified and the part is inserted in a correspondence imageinsertion area corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area,it may be possible to attach at least a piece of composition informationto each of the predetermined image insertion area and the correspondenceimage insertion area, and attach correspondence information representingcorrespondence between the predetermined image insertion area and thecorrespondence image insertion area to a template. Regarding such case,an explanation is described bellow as a fourth embodiment.

The FIG. 14 shows an example of correspondence information in the fourthembodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the template T5 including in onepage two image insertion areas 1-a and 1-b, the one is larger than theother, is used for editing. As shown in the FIG. 14, the correspondenceinformation indicate that the image insertion area 1-a in the templateT5 is attached with the composition information 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, theimage insertion area 1-b is attached with the composition information2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, and the composition information 1-1 and 2-1, thecomposition information 1-2 and 2-2, and the composition information 1-3and 2-3 are related to each other. In this case, the correspondenceinformation is recorded in a header of template data.

Additionally, the composition information is related to sceneinformation in the fourth embodiment.

It is assumed that the composition information 1-1 includes informationindicating that two people are contained in a composition and they havea wedding bouquet at a portion bellow a center of the image. It is alsoassumed that the composition information 2-1 corresponding to thecomposition information 1-1 includes information indicating that onlythe wedding bouquet is contained in a composition. Further, thecomposition information 1-1 is related to scene information of a scenein which the bride and groom are standing with a wedding bouquet.

If an operator selects the image G7 shown in the FIG. 15B as aninsertion image and inputs the scene in which the bride and groom arestanding with the wedding bouquet, the image editing PC 1 selects thecomposition information 1-1, determines a trimming position of theinsertion image so as to contain the bride and groom in whole region ofthe image insertion area 1-a in order to insert the image G7 suitably inthe imager insertion area 1-a in the template T5, further determines amagnifying rate of the insertion image in order to cause the insertionimage to have a suitable size for the image insertion area 1-a, andthen, generates processing information indicating the determinedtrimming position and the determined magnifying rate. Further, in thiscase, the image of the wedding bouquet should be inserted in the imageinsertion area 1-b. Therefore, the image editing PC 1 determines atrimming position so as to cut a part regarding the wedding bouquet fromthe image G7 selected by the operator as an image to be inserted in theimage insertion area 1-a, further determines a magnifying rate of thecut part in order to the part to have a suitable size for the imageinsertion area 1-b, and then, generates processing informationindicating the determined trimming position and the determinedmagnifying rate.

In each embodiment described above, the composition information isinformation regarding people, as shown in FIG. 5. However, thecomposition information may include information on background (such as achurch, sea, and trees) and information on the number of people to beincluded in a class photo, for example.

Furthermore, the processing information may include information on imagerotation. For example, in the case where the composition informationincludes a condition that an area of sky is near the upper side of theimage, an area of sky is detected in the selected image. If no area ofsky is included near the upper side of the image, the processinginformation includes a direction and an angle of rotation so that theimage has the area of sky near the upper side thereof. If the area ofsky is present near the left side of the selected image, the processinginformation includes the information of rotation in the clockwisedirection by 90 degrees, for example. The processing information mayinclude the information on the rotation angle according to an angle ofcamera at the time of photography, since photography is carried out witha camera having an arbitrary angle (such as 45 degrees) in some cases.

In each embodiment described above, the processed image data sets of theselected images are printed by the mini-laboratory 3A or 3B, and theoperator pastes the prints on the photo album paper corresponding to thetemplate for generating the photo album. However, the file server 5 maygenerate a composite image data set representing an image (a photo albumimage) having the images selected by the operator and inserted in theimage insertion areas in the template by combining the processed imagedata sets and the template data set. The composite image data set isoutput to the mini-laboratory 3A or 3B.

If the mini-laboratory 3A or 3B prints the composite image data setgenerated in this manner, the photo album can be generated by simplybinding the print of the photo album image, without pasting the printson the paper.

In each above-described embodiment, the photo album is generated byusing the image data sets obtained by reading the images recorded on thedeveloped film. However, a photo album can be generated by using imagedata sets obtained by a digital camera. In this case, the file server 5comprises a media drive for reading the image data sets from a recordingmedium such as a memory card storing the image data sets obtained byphotography. The image data sets read from the recording medium by themedia drive are stored in the file server 5. A photo album can also begenerated by using image data sets obtained by a camera-embedded mobilephone. In this case, the image data sets sent from the mobile phone viaa mobile phone communication network are stored in the file server 5.

In each above-described embodiment, the file server 5 carries out thepreparatory processing only on the image data sets selected by theoperator using the photo album editing PC 1. However, all the image datasets may be stored in the file server 5 after the preparatory processingcarried out thereon when the image data sets are received from themini-laboratory 3A or 3B or from the scanner 3C. Furthermore, the photoalbum editing PC 1 may carry out the preparatory processing on all theimage data sets sent from the file server 5 or on the image data setsselected for the photo album generation.

Further, in each above-described embodiment, it is available that theimage editing PC 1 or the file server 5 generates data (album data), inwhich an image of an user is inserted in a template, based on the layoutinformation, and the generated data is transmitted to and stored in aserver, or the like, enable to be accessed by the user. Thereby, theuser is capable of checking doneness of album before creating the album.In this case, it may be also available to let the user select whether tocreate the album by using the album data or to start editing from thebeginning again.

1. An image editing apparatus comprising: a display unit which displaysvarious kinds of information thereon; an image display control unitwhich displays a catalog of plural images on the display unit; atemplate display control unit which displays on the display units thecatalog of plural images and a template being used as photo album paper,said template having plural image insertion areas, each area attachedwith at least a piece of composition information representingcomposition of an image to be inserted in the area, and correspondenceinformation representing a correspondence between compositioninformation attached to a predetermined image insertion area andcomposition information attached to a correspondence image insertionarea corresponding to said predetermined image insertion area, in orderto process an image to be inserted in the predetermined composition areaand an image to be inserted in the correspondence image insertion areato have a composition in relation with each other; a designationreception unit which receives designation of image insertion area in thetemplate displayed on the display means; an image selection unit whichreceives selection of two images, the one is inserted in thepredetermined image insertion area and the other is inserted in thecorrespondence image insertion area, from the catalog of plural images;and a processing information generation unit which selects a piece ofcomposition information suitable for the selected image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation of the predetermined image insertion area in accordance witha scene property of the selected image, selects a piece of compositioninformation suitable for the correspondence image insertion area fromthe composition information of the correspondence image insertion areawith reference to the correspondence information, and generatesprocessing information including information on a magnification ratioand/or a trimming position regarding each image to be inserted in eacharea in order to process each image to have the composition representedby each selected composition information, with reference to the selectedcomposition information of the predetermined image insertion area andthe selected composition information of the correspondence imageinsertion area.
 2. An image editing apparatus comprising: a display unitwhich displays plural kinds of information thereon; an image displaycontrol unit which displays a catalog of plural images on the displayunit; a template image display control unit which displays on thedisplay unit the catalog and a template being used as a photo albumpaper, said template having plural image insertion areas, each areaattached with at least a piece of composition information representingcomposition of an image to be inserted in the area, and correspondenceinformation representing correspondence between composition informationattached to a predetermined image insertion area and compositioninformation attached to a correspondence image insertion area in orderto process an image to be inserted in the predetermined image insertionarea to have a composition suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area; a designation reception unit which receives designationof image insertion area in the template displayed on the display unit;an image selection unit which receives selection of image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the catalog of pluralimages; and a processing information generation unit which selects apiece of composition information suitable for the selected image to beinserted in the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation attached to the predetermined image insertion area inaccordance with a scene property of the selected image, selects a pieceof composition information suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area from the composition information attached to thecorrespondence image insertion area with reference to the correspondenceinformation, and generates processing information including informationon a magnification ratio and/or a trimming position regarding theselected image to be inserted in the predetermined area in order toprocess the selected image to have a composition represented by theselected composition information of the predetermined image insertionarea and the selected composition information of the correspondenceimage insertion area.
 3. An image editing method comprising the stepsof: displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit; displayingon the display unit the catalog of plural images and a template beingused as a photo album paper, said template having plural image insertionareas, each area attached with at least a piece of compositioninformation representing composition of image to be inserted in thearea, and correspondence information representing correspondence betweencomposition information attached to a predetermined image insertion areaand composition information attached to a correspondence image insertionarea corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area in order toprocess an image to be inserted in the predetermined area and an imageto be inserted in the correspondence image insertion area to have acomposition in related with each other; receiving designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on the display unit; receivingselection of two images from the catalog of plural images, the one is tobe inserted in the predetermined image insertion area and the other isto be inserted in the correspondence image insertion area; selecting apiece of composition information suitable for the selected image to beinserted in the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation attached to the predetermined image insertion area inaccordance with a scene property of the selected image; selecting apiece of composition information suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area from the composition information attached to thecorrespondence image insertion area, with reference to thecorrespondence information; generating processing information includinginformation on a magnification ratio and/or a trimming positionregarding each selected image in order to process each selected image tohave a composition represented by each selected composition information,with reference to the selected composition information of thepredetermined image insertion area and the selected compositioninformation of the correspondence image insertion area.
 4. An imageediting method comprising the steps of: displaying a catalog of pluralimages on a display unit; displaying on the display unit the catalog ofplural images and a template being used as a photo album paper, saidtemplate having plural image insertion areas, each area attached with atleast a piece of composition information representing composition ofimage to be inserted in the area, and correspondence informationrepresenting correspondence between composition information attached toa predetermined image insertion area and composition informationattached to a correspondence image insertion area corresponding to thepredetermined image insertion area in order to process an image to beinserted in the predetermined image insertion area to have a compositionsuitable for the correspondence image insertion area; receivingdesignation of image insertion area in the template displayed on thedisplay unit; receiving selection of image to be inserted in thepredetermined image insertion area from the catalog of plural images;selecting a piece of composition information suitable for the selectedimage to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area from thecomposition information attached to the predetermined image insertionarea, in accordance with a scene property of the selected image;selecting a piece of composition information suitable for thecorrespondence image insertion area from the composition informationattached to the correspondence image insertion area, with reference tothe correspondence information; and generating processing informationincluding information on a magnification ratio and/or a trimmingposition regarding the selected image to be inserted in thepredetermined image insertion area in order to process the selectedimage to have the composition represented by each selected compositioninformation, with reference to the selected composition information ofthe predetermined image insertion area and the selected compositioninformation of the correspondence image insertion area.
 5. Acomputer-readable medium storing a program which when executed by acomputer causes the computer to execute an image editing methodcomprising: displaying a catalog of plural images on a display unit;displaying on the display unit the catalog and a template being used asa photo album paper, the template having plural image insertion areas,each area attached with at least a piece of composition informationrepresenting composition of image to be inserted in the area, andcorrespondence information representing correspondence betweencomposition information attached to a predetermined image insertion areaand composition information attached to a correspondence image insertionarea corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area, in orderto an image to be inserted in the predetermined image insertion area andan image to be inserted in the correspondence image to have acomposition in related with each other; receiving designation of imageinsertion area in the template displayed on display unit; receivingselection of two images from the catalog of plural images, the one is tobe inserted in the predetermined image insertion area and other is to beinserted in the correspondence image insertion; selecting a piece ofcomposition information suitable for the selected image to be insertedin the predetermined image insertion area from the compositioninformation attached to the predetermined image insertion area, inaccordance with a scene property of the selected image; selecting apiece of composition information suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area from the composition information attached to thecorrespondence image insertion area, with reference to thecorrespondence information; and generating processing informationincluding information on a magnification ratio and/or a trimmingposition regarding each selected image in order to process each selectedimage to have the composition represented by each selected compositioninformation, with reference to the selected composition information ofthe predetermined image insertion area and the selected compositioninformation of the correspondence image insertion area.
 6. Acomputer-readable medium storing a program which when executed by acomputer causes the computer to execute an image editing methodcomprising the steps of: displaying a catalog of plural images on adisplay unit; displaying on the display unit the catalog and a templatebeing used as a photo album paper, said template having plural imageinsertion areas, each area attached with at least a piece of compositioninformation representing composition of image to be inserted in thearea, and correspondence information representing correspondence betweencomposition information attached to a predetermined image insertion areaand composition information attached to a correspondence image insertionarea corresponding to the predetermined image insertion area in order toprocess an image to be inserted to the predetermined image insertionarea to have the composition suitable for the correspondence imageinsertion area; receiving designation of image insertion area in thetemplate displayed on the display unit; receiving selection of image tobe inserted in the predetermined image insertion area from the catalogof plural images; selecting a piece of composition information suitablefor the selected image to be inserted in the predetermined imageinsertion area from the composition information attached to thepredetermined image insertion area, in accordance with a scene propertyof the selected image; selecting a piece of composition informationsuitable for the correspondence image insertion area from thecomposition information attached to the correspondence image insertionarea, with reference to the correspondence information; generatingprocessing information including information on a magnification ratioand/or a trimming position regarding the selected image to be insertedin the predetermined area in order to process the selected image to havethe composition represented by each selected composition information,with reference to the selected composition information of thepredetermined image insertion area and the selected compositioninformation of the correspondence image insertion area.